Meyer era set to begin

The combination of a forgettable 2011 season and the lingering NCAA sanctions -- combined with the influx of energy under the Urban Meyer regime -- suggest the Buckeyes aren't looking past the Redhawks.
ASSOCIATED PRESS

COLUMBUS -- Today is the day the Ohio State football team has been looking forward to for a while.

After a 2011 season that was marred by scandal, suspensions and NCAA inquiries and penalties, the Buckeyes get to do what they've been waiting to do for months -- officially put the past behind them.

It starts today at noon with a visit from the Miami Redhawks in the season-opener for both teams.

"We'll be able to focus on one game at a time," defensive end Michael Bennett said. "We'll be able to focus on getting better, rather than all the miscellaneous stuff going on, the media, sanctions and stuff."

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Coming off an 6-7 season, the Buckeyes are playing this season under NCAA sanctions, aren't eligible for a Big Ten title or a bowl bid. But despite all that, the focus is right where the Buckeyes want it.

On the field.

"The goal is to go 12-0," running back Carlos Hyde said. "Even though we can't go to a bowl game we still have go go out there and play with a chip on our shoulders -- let the world know who the Buckeyes are this year."

While some might be looking at the visiting Redhawks as a cupcake, the Buckeyes are not.

With good reason.

The Redhawks, under second-year coach Don Treadwell are coming off a 4-8 season, but have some weapons to work with.

Heading that list is senior quarterback Zac Dysert, who threw for 3,513 yards and 23 touchdowns last season. He enters the season ranked third among active college quarterbacks with 8,530 career passing yards. Only Oklahoma's Landry Jones and USC's Matt Barkley have more.

Dysert's favorite target, Nick Harwell, is a concern of Ohio State, too, after recording the fifth-most receiving yards (1,425) in the FBS last year.

"Those two kids can play anywhere in America," Meyer said.

Said linebacker Etienne Sabino, "If we let them, they'll hurt us."

While both Ohio State and Miami will work out of fast-paced spread formations on offense, Meyer said that of the Redhawks is more of a drop-back passing offense.

Sabino said practicing against the OSU offense on a daily basis should be a benefit this weekend, even if Miami's offense is a little more pass-happy than that of Ohio State.

"Miami comes out in a lot of empty (backfield) sets, a fast-paced offense," he said. "Our offense is pretty good at tempo, so I think it will help us."

Ohio State is 31-2 in its last 33 openers, with both losses coming at the Kickoff Classic in Giants Stadium (in 1999 to Miami and 1986 to Alabama).

Receiver Corey "Philly" Brown said he and his teammates had enough losing last season.

"They know what it feels like to lose, and nobody likes that feeling," he said.

The combination of a forgettable 2011 season and the lingering NCAA sanctions -- combined with the influx of energy under the Meyer regime -- suggest the Buckeyes aren't looking past the Redhawks.

Rather, they are looking forward to the new start.

"Every game we've got to go in with a chip on our shoulders," defensive lineman John Simon said. "That mentality we have to show opposing teams what we're made of.

"We've got Miami the first game. We're going to game-plan and leave nothing to chance for that."